In the United States, all children must attend school, and they have the right to so this for free . All children have the right to go to school; it does not matter what their race, sex, or religion is, whether they are American citizens or illegal residents who speak no English , or whether they are disabled in any way . Children can leave school when they are sixteen , whether or not they graduate , and con continue their education until they are twenty-one or they graduate from high school, whichever comes first . However , children do not have the right to attend any school they choose . The law says they must attend school in the community where they live.